Podiatry vs. Orthotics: What You Actually Need for Foot Pain

You’ve got foot pain. Or maybe it’s your knees, hips, or low back — and someone says:

• “You should see a podiatrist.”
• “You probably need orthotics.”
• “You might have flat feet.”

Cool. But now you’re stuck wondering:

• What exactly does a podiatrist do?
• Are orthotics the only thing they prescribe?
• Can either of these actually fix the problem — or just manage it?

At YFS (Your Form Sux), we work with clients who’ve been through the podiatry-orthotic pipeline and still aren’t better. Here’s your no-BS breakdown of the difference between podiatry and orthotics — and what your body might actually need.

👣 First: What Is Podiatry?

Podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions related to the feet, ankles, and lower limbs.

In Ontario, podiatrists and chiropodists (a related but more regulated role in Canada) can:

• Diagnose foot and ankle disorders
• Prescribe medications (in some cases)
• Perform minor surgeries
• Prescribe and dispense custom orthotics
• Treat chronic conditions like bunions, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis
• Offer foot care for high-risk patients (e.g. those with diabetes)

If you’ve got a structural or medical issue in the foot, podiatrists are the specialists you want.

👟 Then: What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics are custom or semi-custom inserts designed to fit inside your shoes and provide:

• Arch support
• Shock absorption
• Alignment correction
• Pressure redistribution

They’re commonly prescribed by:

• Podiatrists and chiropodists
• Chiropractors
• Physiotherapists
• Some general physicians

Used for treating:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Flat feet or fallen arches
• Bunions, neuromas, or toe deformities
• Post-surgical offloading

Think of orthotics like glasses for your feet: helpful, but not a cure.

🧠 The Big Difference (That Most People Miss)

Podiatry = a medical profession.
Orthotics = a product or tool.

Just because you see a podiatrist doesn’t mean you automatically need orthotics. And just because orthotics make you feel better for now doesn’t mean they solve the issue.

🔎 At YFS, We Ask a Different Question:

Why is your foot hurting in the first place?

Because foot pain isn’t always a “foot” problem. It might actually be:

• Limited ankle mobility
• Glute or core weakness
• Poor movement patterns
• Postural compensation
• Training load mismanagement
• Lack of foot and arch strength

Orthotics won’t fix these problems. They’ll just cover them up.

✅ When Podiatry or Orthotics Make Sense

Podiatry is helpful if you:

• Have structural deformities (bunions, hammer toes, etc.)
• Need a medical diagnosis or surgical consult
• Are dealing with chronic wounds, infections, or diabetes-related issues
• Have a congenital foot condition that needs long-term support

Orthotics are useful if you:

• Have a flare-up of plantar fasciitis or heel pain
• Work long shifts on hard surfaces
• Are recovering from surgery
• Need temporary offloading during a rehab plan

But again — they’re part of a plan, not the whole plan.

🏋️‍♀️ What We Do Instead at YFS

We don’t sell orthotics. We don’t diagnose bunions. We don’t hand you a band-aid and send you off.

We assess how your whole body moves — because pain in your feet is rarely just about your feet.

At YFS, you get:

• Full-body movement screening
• Gait analysis (barefoot + supported)
• Mobility testing
• Foot and ankle strength work
• Re-training of foot mechanics
• Coordination drills to reduce overcompensation

And if you do need orthotics or a podiatrist? We’ll send you there with context — and a strategy.

🚀 Bottom Line: Know the Difference — So You Can Choose What Actually Helps

Podiatry is a medical specialty.
Orthotics are a support tool.
YFS is where you go when you want to move pain-free — not just manage pain.

If you’ve already tried orthotics, seen a podiatrist, and still have foot pain… it’s time for a different approach.

Book a movement assessment at YFS
Let’s figure out why your foot hurts — and fix it at the source.